Curated OER
John D. Rockefeller
Excerpt from Ida Tarbell's magazine expose of Standard Oil's manipulation of the American oil industry contrasted with excerpts from John D. Rockefeller's autobiography in which he defends the practices of his company.
Other
Irc History: The Ludlow Massacre
A good explanation of the Ludlow Massacre in the coalfields of Colorado and what led up to it. In addition, there is an interesting description of how this violent reaction to a strike by miners affected John D. Rockefeller, Jr., one of...
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: The Cleveland Massacre
The details surrounding the so-called "Cleveland Massacre," in which John D. Rockefeller bought up competitors' oil refineries, are set out here.
Digital History
Digital History: Empire 'S Challenge to Standard [Pdf]
In the era of big business and business tycoons in the late 19th century, John D. Rockefeller held a very high position. Read about how he thwarted an attempt by two railroad owners to keep Rockefeller from controlling all the oil...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Power: Taming the Octopus: Standard Oil
Excerpt from Ida Tarbell's magazine expose of Standard Oil's manipulation of the American oil industry contrasted with excerpts from John D. Rockefeller's autobiography in which he defends the practices of his company.
Digital History
Digital History: Robber Baron or Industrial Statesman [Pdf]
John D. Rockefeller was a controversial figure in the business world of the 19th century. Read about his actions to consolidate his control of the oil refining business in all its aspects. Find arguments claiming that he was an...
Digital History
Digital History: Standard Oil on Trial [Pdf]
The anti-trust case against Standard Oil, based on the Sherman Antitrust Act, pitted the federal government against the largest corporation in the United States. Read the trial preparation information including the arguments of the...
Curated OER
Wikipedia: National Historic Landmarks in New York: John D. Rockefeller Estate
Estate of the oil tycoons, the Rockefeller family; also known as Kykuit.
Curated OER
[John D. Rockefeller]
1896, A Website for Political Cartoons traces the movement against trusts and monopolies, including excerpts from newspaper articles and speeches as well as links to political cartoons about trusts.
Other
John D. Rockefeller: The 1890 Sherman Antitrust Act
Provides a short article on the 1890 Sherman Antitrust Act.
OpenStax
Open Stax: Industrialization 1870 1900: From Invention to Industrial Growth
This section of the textbook describes how new inventions spurred industrial growth in the 19th century and discusses the business methods and models of Andrew Carnegie, John Rockefeller, and J. P. Morgan.
Tom Richey
Tom Richey: The Gilded Age (1877 1900)
As Reconstruction came to an end in the United States the country began to evolve into an industrial nation through the perseverance and ingenuity of masterminds like Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller. Through a collection of...
Other
Asia Society: Policy
A comprehensive storehouse of all types of information on Asia, both current and past: maps and statistics, Asian food, travel guides, photographs, articles, timelines, and more. Asia Source is the work of the Asia Society, a national...
Other
U.s. History Scene: The Second Industrial Revolution, 1870 1914
Between 1820 and 1860, the visual map of the United States was transformed by unprecedented urbanization and rapid territorial expansion, facilitated by the railroad system. These changes mutually fueled the Second Industrial Revolution...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Muckrakers
Sometimes a pen can be wielded more lethally than a sword. Read about the brave muckrakers who exposed corruption and injustice in government and business. These journalists attacked different areas, but the result was an introduction to...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Robber Barons and Captains of Industry
A very thorough lesson plan from EDSITEment that explores the role of the robber barons in American industry in the 19th century. It explores the question of whether the robber barons were harmful or "Captains of Industry." You'll find...
Vassar College
Vassar College: 1896: Trusts and Monopolies
As part of a large site dealing with the election of 1896 is this article on Trusts and Monopolies. Although the focus is on the Republicans' anti-trust sentiments in the election, you can read about the rise of big business, monopolies,...
Other
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston: Crash of 1907 [Pdf]
A very interesting look at the Panic of 1907, the crash of stocks, the lack of faith in banks by depositors, especially in New York and Boston, and the rescue of the banks by J.P. Morgan. Calling on news reports of the time, this pdf...
CPALMS
Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: Captains of Industry: Second Industrial Revolution
This tutorial looks at the Second Industrial Revolution in the United States and the most famous and successful industrial entrepreneurs of that time. A PDF file of the tutorial is available.
Department of Defense
Do Dea: Ap Us History: Unit 5: A New Order
This extensive learning module examines the impact of the Gilded Age upon new cultural and intellectual movements, expansion of foreign trade, and political debates over economic and social policies, as well as the impact of the rise of...
Country Studies US
Country Studies: The Struggles of Labor
This site discusses how for much of the latter half of the 1800s, the life of the common laborer was horrendous. Working in a unsanitary factory, for at least 10 hours a day, making far less than needed to survive, the struggles of the...
Digital History
Digital History: The Supreme Court Decides [Pdf]
An explanation of the Supreme Court decision in 1911 that broke up the monopoly of Standard Oil, charged with unreasonable restraint of trade. Read commentary that claimed that the decision did not really increase competition in the oil...